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A Narrative of the expedition of Hernando de Soto into Florida published at Evora in 1557

A Gentleman of Elvas (Knight of Elvas) · Composed as a narrative account of de Soto’s expedition (Portuguese original attributed to a gentleman of Elvas). primary

passage 59 of 73 · (55/69)

↪ you wandered here via “governor pardon power” — the connecting lines are tinted below

in brief
The Governor pauses near Naguatex while scouting a wadeable river crossing, sends captains to reconnoiter, then orders the Naguatex cacique to come and obey with threats, receiving a compliant leader who frames his surrender as repentance.

passed in despite of them: and on the other side of the river they saw great habitation, and great store of victuals; and with these news returned to the camp.

The Governor sent an Indian from Naguatex where he lay, to command the cacique to come to serve and obey him, and that he would forgive him all that was past; that if he came not, that he would seek him, and give him such punishment as he had deserved for that which he had done against him. Within two days the Indian returned, and said that the cacique would come the next day; which, the same day when he came, sent many Indians before him, among whom there were some principal men: he sent them to see what countenance they found in the Governor, to resolve with himself whether he should go or not. The Indians let him understand, that he was coming, and went away presently: and the cacique came within two hours accompanied with many of his men: they came all in a rank one before another on both sides, leaving a lane in the midst where he came. They came where the Governor was, all of them weeping after the manner of Tulla, which was not far from thence toward the east. The cacique made his due obedience, and the speech following:

"Right high and mighty lord, whom all the world ought to serve and obey, I was bold to appear before your lordship, having committed so heinous and abominable an act, as only for me to have imagined, deserved to be punished; trusting in your greatness, that although I deserve to obtain no pardon, yet for your own sake only you will use clemency toward me, considering how small I am in comparison of your lordship; and not to think upon my weaknesses, which, to my grief and for my greater good, I have known. And I believe that you and yours are immortal; and that your lordship is lord of the land of nature, seeing that you subdue all things, and they obey you, even the very hearts of men. For when I beheld the slaughter and destruction of my men in the battle, which, through mine ignorance, and the counsel of a brother of mine, which died in the same, I gave your lordship, presently I repented me in my heart of the error, which I had committed; and desired to serve and obey you: and to this end I come, that your lordship may chastise and command me as your own."

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topics: courage and cowardice · diplomacy and embassies · justice as a virtue

A Narrative of the expedition of Hernando de Soto into Florida publishe… · A Gentleman of Elvas (Knight of Elvas) · 1538–1543